Coin controlled electric circuit



March 6, 1951 G. R|PLEY,1IL 2,543,938

COIN CONTROLLED ELECTRIC CIRCUIT Filed April 8, 1948 2 Sheetssheet 1 IN VEN TOR. George ZfzPZey,

March 6, 1951 G. RIPLEYJII 2,543,938

COIN CONTROLLED ELECTRIC CIRCUIT Filed April 8, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. george @7263/1 Z iatented Mar. 1951 52,543,938 com eo'N'frRoLLD ELECTRIC emcurr George -Ripleyglll, Bradenton, Afspiiesu rii 194s',v semina 19,851 sl claims; (C11.- isii) Tliis invention relates to eoinjcontrolled circuits for automatic electric apparatus; and par*y ticularly to a coin controlledk circuit for aneleej-l trically operated and controlled machine having' a plurality of successive; timed operatioruxs;` i

With the use of some macl'iir'iesA ofv the class' above mentioned, it is` desirabley or necessary to vary the time of one or more vof the'- operations, which frequently materially shortens: the'- total time consumed in completing the wrkjbutjs the machine is timed' to run for a fixed maximum period of time before' it can be again' started o1-i another cycle of operations', considerable time' is lost between the completion of theqworkj and the stopping of the' machine. This is'particularly undesirable in laundryl washing machines; 'vrhere-4 in after one' batch of laundry has been completed", a loss of time' is unavoidable before the` next batch can be started; j 4 Y n l) InY ai' laundry equipped' with' coin controlled machinesY of the' character stated, the elementjlokf; time is an imprtatfaeto; andi trie-frogs? of' time .as above described' is' a material'loss to' the es tablishmnt. This" is also true'where aj multil' alicia. of. resilier restituire. Pmi/#ld ffffff" remaining in the' laundry is then'expelle'd; usually byfcentrifugal"` action; EachY these" steps re' quire'` one' or' more'Y denite operations'of the" ma; chine.'

Some of thef4 steps' above" Ifleni'fioned"4 require Indre or'- 1ess' time: according te the' d 'greeto whili the arti'cle's'- arev soiled; andthel materials oflwhich they are made that-is,ai'ticls-whih are badly soiledvrequire-'alongr periodo initial soaking than do but slightly soiled ories-A and woolenl-goods- Should bev agitatedl for a'i considerably less time than mostY other'mate'rials For this? reason automatic laundry machines 'are pro"- vided with means for setting the same prior to each of the several operations wherein the'variationl of time is'essential; butitis also necessary to provide a--total 'operating time suflicient toV include the sum of the maximum times for each of thev several steps. A l *u It is therefore obvious that somebatches of laundry will require considerably less time to com- 2 t, l plete the Work than will others'. For example', a batch of woolensv will require approximately eighteen minutes to'v complete', whereas a batch of badly soiled` cotton or liner articles' will require' approimately thirty-live' minutes: Alcoin controlled machine will therefore run for vlthe' maximum time, say thirtysix' minutes; so' that after the washing of a batch of woolens hasy been completed in eighteen minutes", there' is a' loss' of seventeen' minutes' before the'r machine canv be started. to operate upon the succeeding batch.;

Although the invention forming the `subject mattery of this application designedv primarily for use4 in' conjunction with automatic" laundry washing machines, it is to be understood' that it is' applicable' to' various automatic; timed electrically operated machines. n

The object' of theV present invention is to pro vide',A in combination'with a' coin' contro'1led,f.e'1ri trically operated apparatus having' a; maximum period of operation,v means for automatically cut-'- ting oil" the current to the machine upon' com` pletionyof the effective period of operation; K

I Afurther object" ofth invention-` is' tol provide, inV combination with -al coin4` controlled electrically opeifatcl` apparatus" having? a" maximum' peri d ofy operation; and contrcil-lin-y means forl varying" the` effective periodici operation; means for'A auto@ matically' cutting oirl the current; 'to the apparatuswhe'n the effective period of operatofhas been' completed, andresetting' the'same fora succeed: ing operation;

Other objects will appear hereinafter. (I

The" invention will? be' more'r'eadily understod by reference to the' aceompinying'- drawings form: ing a partV of this specification and in'which Figure 1 is al diagram ofA a* circuit embo'd n' thev present invention;-andffiticludin a d l matic illustration ofr the timingl mchanisiri' of an elec'tricallyco'ntolled apparatus? A n Figure 2 is an lenlargfsid detail-side: elevation of a` conventional!timingelement`;l

Figure 3 is` an 'end-elevation: o fth s'amiills trating the' graduatdtimesettirigfdsk; l

Figurev 4` is: a" section' on" the line 4-1-'1 of ure'2;

Figure 5 is a? diagrammatic vertical'sectionoa device'adapte'd to be electrically ccinnec'ted'v to' chef circuit of aniautomatic'; timed-electric:apparatus to convertthe same intoanapparatusfembo'dying my invention, and including the coin controlledv startingY means;pand. u l

Figure 6 is a detail of the switch for` breaking the circuit to the `machine at the conclusion of the cycle of operations.Y

Referring to the drawings, the timing device for the apparatus to be controlled, includes a motor driven shaft IU upon which is mounted a plurality of cam disks, the number of which will vary according to the type of machine with which the invention is used, and the number of operations in the complete cycle of the machine. In the present instance four such cam disks are illustrated and designated by the reference numbers II, I2, I3 and I4, respectively. The shaft I is driven by a timing motor I5 connected thereto by reduction gearing I6 which may be of any preferred type. Fixed to the shaft I is a graduated disk I1 having a knob I8 to facilitate turning the same, for a purpose hereinafter described. A fixed pointer I9 is provided in conjunction with the disk I1 to aid in properly setting the latter. The cam disks |I to I4 inclusive are electrically connected, as indicated at 2S, to the source of electric energy. The disk II constitutes the timing disk and 'operates the main timing switch 2| which comprises contact members 22 and 23 mounted respectively on arms 24 and 25, which are insulated from each other and interposed in the main circuit of the machine, the arm 24 being connected directly to the source of electric supply through a conductor 2G and plug 21, and the arm 25 being connected to the opposite side oi the circuit through a conductor 28 leading to both the timing motor i and the main operating motor 29 of the machine, thence through conductor 38 to a sustaining relay switch 3 I, having contact points 33 and 34, and then through a conductor 32 to the plug 21.

The contacts 22 and 23 of the timing switch are normally in contact and remain in contact during the entire cycle of operations of the machine. As soon as the operations are completed, a lug 35 on the disk II engages the arm 25 and separates the contacts 22 and 23, thereby breaking the circuit to the motor 29 and stopping the machine.

'T'Ihe disks I2, I3 and I4 are provided with arcuate cams 35 which, as the disks rotate, operate switches 3l to close the circuits 3B which parallel the motor circuit 28-3, and connect various operative elements of the machine, such as the solenoids'39 and/or other devices, to the source of -current supply, and to time the operations thereof. The timing motor I5 is connected in parallel with the motor 29, through the conductors 4i] and 4|.

' The coil of the relay magnet 45 is connected at one end to the motor conductor 35 by a conductor 46, and at the other end is connected back of the motors I5 and 29 by a conductor 41, so that when the current to the motor is broken by the timing switch 22-23, the circuit to the magnet 45 will be broken, whereupon the relay switch will be `opened by the spring 4S.

A spring loaded starting switch 55 is provided whereby the machine is started into operation upon the insertion of a suitable coin or token. This includes a lever pivotally mounted at 5I and comprising the arms 52 and 54, the arm 52 projecting beneath the end of a coin chute 53. The opposite arm 54 of the lever 53- is provided with acontact 55 adapted to engage a contact 55 which is electrically connected by a conductor 51 to the contact point 34 of the relay switch 3|. A conductor 53 connects the switch arm with the conductor 3D.

The coin operated switch 55, the coin chute 53, coin box 65, and relay 3| may be arranged in a suitable box 6I, and suppliedas a unit for attachment to or electrically connected to the apparatus to be controlled thereby. A signal lamp 62, to caution against inserting another coin into the machine until the same has completed its work and is reset for further use, is usually shunted in the circuit to the motors, and may be arranged either on the box 6I or directly on the machine. A line 32 extends from one side of the sustaining switch 3| to the source of supply 21; a line 3i) extends from the opposite side of said switch for connection to the motor circuits; and a third line 41 extends from the relay coil 45 to be connected to the opposite sides of the motors.

The operation of the device is as follows: When the machine is at rest the timing switch 2 I, relay switch 3| and coin operated switch 5B are all open. The dial I1 is first turned to close the timing switch 2|. At this time, if it is deemed desirable to shorten the time of the rst operation from the maximum time provided for the same by the machine, the dial I1 may be turned sufficiently for this purpose, although this adjustment may be made after the machine begins to operate. A coin is then inserted in the chute 53 and as it passes to the coin box 60 it actuates the switch 5U to momentarily close the circuit to the relay magnet 45, the circuit being iroin the plug 2l through the conductors 32 and 51, switch 53, conductors 58 and 45 to the relay magnet 45, thence by conductors 4l and 23 to the timing switch 2| and conductor 26 to the plug 2. This energizes the magnet 45 and closes the relay switch 3| thereby closing the circuit to the main motor 29 and timing motor l5 thereby setting the machine into operation. The circuit to the motor 29 is from the plug 21, through the conductor 32, relay switch 3|, conductor 30 to motor; then through conductor 28 to timing switch 2| and conductor 26 back to plug 21. While the machine is in operation, the time oi any of the several separate operations of the machine may be shortened to suit the conditions as explained hereinbefore with relation to a laundry Washing machine, by merely advancing the timing disk I1 and the cam disks connected thereto. 'i'he cams 36 on the several disks are arranged so as to maintain the proper sequence of operation irrespective of the alteration oi' the timing oi' any one or more of the several steps.

While the machine is in operation the signal light 52 will glow indicating that no coins should be inserted. As soon as the last step or operation is completed, the lug 35 on disk I| opens the timing switch 22, thereby breaking the circuit to the motors and deenergizing the relay magnet 45. The switch 3| is then opened by the spring 48, the lamp 62 extinguished, and the device reset for another operation.

It is obvious from the above description that the machine will be automatically reset for iurther immediate use as soon as the work has been completed, without waiting for the lapse oi any specic set time.

It is also obvious that various modifications may be made in the details of the device without departing from the invention as dened by the accompanying claims.

I claim:

l. A coin controlled, electrically operated machine including a plurality of means for performing a cycle of relatively timed operations, a driving motor for said machine, a timing mechanism for selectively controlling the duration of the several operations, said mechanism including a switch normally open when the machine is at rest, cam operated switches for closing the circuits to the several operating means and a timing motor in parallel with the driving motor for actuating said timing means, a relay comprising a relay magnet in parallel with said motors and a relay switch in circuit between said motors and the source of electric supply, coin actuated means for energizing said relay magnet and closing the relay switch, and manually operable means associated with said timing mechanism to close said normally open switch to close the circuit to said relay magnet and for automatically opening said switch upon completion of the cycle of operations of the machine.

2. In a coin controlled, electrically operated machine, a plurality of means for performing a cycle of relatively timed operations, a driving motor for said machine, an electrically actuated timing mechanism for selectively controlling the duration of said operations, said timing mechanisms including a timing motor, a normally open switch in the circuit of said motor, and cam operated switches for controlling the circuits to the several operating means, a relay comprising a, relay magnet and a relay switch in the circuit between the source of electric supply and said motor, coin actuated means for energizing said relay magnet and closing the relay switch, and manually operable means associated with said timing mechanism for closing said normally open switch to close the circuit to said motor, and for automatically opening said switch upon completion of the cycle of operations of the machine.

3. In a coin controlled, electrically operated machine, a plurality of means for performing a cycle of relatively timed operations, a main motor for actuating said means, a timing mechanism for selectively controlling the duration of said operations, said timing mechanism including a plurality of cam operated switches for controlling the circuits to the several operating means, a timing motor for actuating said switches, and a normally open switch in the circuit of said motors, a relay comprising a relay magnet and a relay switch, said magnet and switch being in parallel and in the circuit between the source o electric supply and said motors, coin actuated means for energizing said relay magnet to close said relay switch, and manually operable means associated with said timing mechanism for closing said normally open switch to close the circuit to said motors, and for opening said switch upon completion of the cycle of operations of the machine.

4. An attachment for a motor driven machine having a cycle of timed operations, a main motor, a timing motor and a main switch; said attachment comprising a normally open sustaining switch, a solenoid for closing said switch for the duration of operation or" the machine, a coin controlled switch for momentarily closing a circuit to said solenoid, leads leading from said starting switch to connect the same in parallel with said motors, and a lead from said sustaining switch and said coin controlled switch to the source of electric supply.

5. In a motor operated machine having a cycle of relatively and adjustably timed diverse sequential operations a main operating motor for the same, and a timing motor for controlling the period of each operating in the cycle, in combination with a sustaining switch and a solenoid adapted to maintain said sustaining switch in closed position during the entire cycle of operation, said solenoid being in parallel with said motors, and a coin actuated switch for initially closing the circuit to said solenoid.

GEORGE RIPLEY, III.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,820,252 Shippy Aug. 25, 1931 2,106,042 Stark Jan. 18, 1938 2,155,271 Jones Apr. 18, 1939 2,254,795 Daniels Sept. 2, 1941 2,290,626 Bosomworth July 21, 1942 2,400,472 Strickland May 14, 1946 2,427,396 Farny Sept. 16, 1947 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,543,938 March 6, 1951 GEORGE RIPLEY, 111

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specifcton of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 6, line 26, for operating read operation;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case n the Patentv Office. Signed and sealed this 18th day of September, A. D. 1951.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gommz'ssz'oner of Patents.-

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,543,938 March 6, 1951 GEORGE RIPLEY, III

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as' follows:

Column 6,1'ine 26, for operating read operation;

and that the said Letters Patent Should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this 18th day of September, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents'.- 

